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Resilience Icebreakers and Energisers

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Resilience is our ability to respond positively to challenges that arise.

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All Change! - How We React to Change

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To explore the effects and reactions to change when communication is limited.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 5 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To explore the effects and reactions to change when communication is limited.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
Avoid the temptation to brief this exercise in any way.

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Attitude and Mindset Word Search

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 15 minutes.

Aims:
• To help participants identify some of the key themes they’ll be exploring in the forthcoming training around attitude and mindset.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 15 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To help participants identify some of the key themes they’ll be exploring in the forthcoming training around attitude and mindset.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

Useful For:
Anyone attending a course or workshop that focuses on attitude and mindset.

You'll Need:
• A printed copy of the large (A3) Trainer version of the Word Search grid provided, affixed to a flipchart.

Notes:
A small prize for the winning team would be nice, though not essential.

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A3 Trainer Copy
Handout

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Attitudes Attract - Thinking Positively about Sales

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To explore participants' feelings towards their role in sales.
• To help participants realise that others may share these feelings.
• To help participants identify how they want to feel by the end of the course.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To explore participants' feelings towards their role in sales.
• To help participants realise that others may share these feelings.
• To help participants identify how they want to feel by the end of the course.

Group Size:
Suitable for use with groups of up to 20 participants.

You'll Need:
• Blank sheets of A4 paper.
• Pens/pencils with which to draw.

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Balloon Team - The Positive Emotions of Being Involved

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 10 minutes.

Aims:
• To explore the positive emotions connected to being involved and how they differ from those of an onlooker.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 5 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 10 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To explore the positive emotions connected to being involved and how they differ from those of an onlooker.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
• A number of inflated balloons (one for every 6-8 participants).
• Plenty of space for participants to move around.

Notes:
Larger groups will need a longer running time for the exercise.

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Barriers to Change - Icebreaker

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 25 minutes.

Aims:
• To identify common barriers to change.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 25 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To identify common barriers to change.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 15 participants.

You'll Need:
Nothing, other than the handout provided.

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Trainer Notes
Handout
Handout (Word)

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Book of Thoughts - Understanding the Burden of Stress

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To understand why it’s important not to trivialise what causes us, or others stress.
• To help participants to recognise and explain the importance of letting go.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To understand why it’s important not to trivialise what causes us, or others stress.
• To help participants to recognise and explain the importance of letting go.

Group Size:
Suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
• A book of equal weight for each participant. If funds allow, you might like to present your participants with a small journal or notebook to keep.

Notes:
Small, hard-backed books are ideal for this exercise.

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Bouncing Back – The Nature of Resilience

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To define the term 'personal resilience'.
• To explore some of the characteristics of resilience.
• To list some elements that help create resilience.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to run. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To define the term 'personal resilience'.
• To explore some of the characteristics of resilience.
• To list some elements that help create resilience.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
• A bouncy rubber ball for each participant.
• Plenty of space to run the exercise.

Notes:
This can be a particularly useful exercise for anyone facing potentially difficult change. Make sure you have a safe place to run this exercise.

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Carrie’s Conundrum - Are Difficult Conversations Necessary?

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To explore why difficult conversations can be necessary and form part of healthy working relationships.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 5 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To explore why difficult conversations can be necessary and form part of healthy working relationships.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Anyone.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Downloads
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Trainer Notes
Handout
Handout (Word)

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Change: The Way I Am Feeling...

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To help participants identify their own feelings towards change.
• To recognise that these feelings may be shared by others.
• To identify how participants would like to be feeling by the end of the course.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To help participants identify their own feelings towards change.
• To recognise that these feelings may be shared by others.
• To identify how participants would like to be feeling by the end of the course.

Group Size:
This exercise is suitable for use with groups of up to 20 participants.

You'll Need:
• Blank sheets of A4 paper.
• Pens/pencils with which to draw.

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Changing Behaviours - Responding to Change

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 30 minutes.

Aims:
• To explore how different participants feel about and respond to change at work.
• To help participants understand why they may react differently to change outside of the workplace.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To explore how different participants feel about and respond to change at work.
• To help participants understand why they may react differently to change outside of the workplace.

Group Size:
Suitable for use with groups of up to 20 participants.

You'll Need:
• One set of Changing Behaviours Cards for each participant (provided).

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Changing Behaviours Cards

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Christmas Gifts - Reviewing and Learning

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to reflect on challenges they’ve faced and identify what they’ve learnt from them.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 20 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to reflect on challenges they’ve faced and identify what they’ve learnt from them.

Group Size:
Suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

Useful For:
Everyone.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
This activity was written as a way to reflect on and move forward from the pandemic of 2020. However, it can be easily adapted and used not just to review a year, but, for example, a challenging experience or significant change that participants have been through. This can be a useful way to launch training around resilience, change or a planning session.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

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PowerPoint

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Come Dine With Us - Team Strengths and Diversity

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to think about the strengths and unique characteristics of their team.
• To encourage participants to think about what makes their team special.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to think about the strengths and unique characteristics of their team.
• To encourage participants to think about what makes their team special.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with all group of almost any size.

You'll Need:
Nothing.

Notes:
This exercise works best when your participants are a team who work together in the workplace.

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Describing Your Glass - Optimism vs Pessimism

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 30 minutes.

Aims:
• To explore the difference between optimistic and pessimistic behaviour.
• To understand the kind of actions to take in order to be more optimistic.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 20 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To explore the difference between optimistic and pessimistic behaviour.
• To understand the kind of actions to take in order to be more optimistic.

Group Size:
Can be used with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
This activity can be run on its own or as a follow on to The Charity Challenge.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

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Feelings Towards Change

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 25 minutes.

Aims:
• To explore your participants’ response to change and the factors that drive it.

About

Time:
The exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 25 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To explore your participants’ response to change and the factors that drive it.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• Five red and five green sticky dots for each participant.

Notes:
You will need to have pre-prepared flipcharts with the statements listed as per the handout.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Downloads
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Trainer Notes
Handout
Handout (Word)

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Getting Knotted - Working Together to Solve a Challenge

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 30 minutes.

Aims:
• To test participants’ abilities to work together and solve a problem.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to run. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To test participants’ abilities to work together and solve a problem.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of between 6 and 24 participants.

You'll Need:
Two lengths of string (approximately 30cm long) for each participant.

Notes:
This exercise involves bending and twisting and may not be suitable for all participants. Please remind participants to take care in this exercise.

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Horror and Happy Ever After - Sharing Experiences

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 25 minutes.

Aims:
• To provide an opportunity for participants to share good and bad experiences.
• To gather real-life examples that can be referred to throughout the training.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 25 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To provide an opportunity for participants to share good and bad experiences.
• To gather real-life examples that can be referred to throughout the training.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 20 participants.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
Our thanks to Buffy Sparks for her help in writing this icebreaker.

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I Am Feeling... - Sharing Feelings and Positive Thinking

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To identify how participants are feeling.
• To encourage participants to recognise that they are not alone, and that their feelings are shared by others in the group.
• To encourage participants to focus on how they want to feel by the end of the training.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To identify how participants are feeling.
• To encourage participants to recognise that they are not alone, and that their feelings are shared by others in the group.
• To encourage participants to focus on how they want to feel by the end of the training.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 20 participants.

You'll Need:
Bank sheets of A4 paper.
• Pens/pencils with which to draw.

Downloads
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Little Wins - Nourishing Positive Thinking

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 30 minutes.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to focus on positive outcomes.
• To encourage participants to reflect on and become more aware of their inner dialogue and the impact it has.
• To provide a simple tool to help participants reframe their thinking to make it more positive.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 22 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to focus on positive outcomes.
• To encourage participants to reflect on and become more aware of their inner dialogue and the impact it has.
• To provide a simple tool to help participants reframe their thinking to make it more positive.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of of up to 24 participants. It can also be adapted for 1-1 training.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
This short activity can be used as an icebreaker or energiser in any training around resilience and positive thinking.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

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Quoting Resilience - Energiser

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To explore the range of experiences and perceptions of resilience within the group.
• To get people thinking about what resilience means and where it comes from.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To explore the range of experiences and perceptions of resilience within the group.
• To get people thinking about what resilience means and where it comes from.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 25 participants.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
If using this exercise with large groups, split them into smaller teams.

Downloads
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Trainer Notes
Quotation Posters

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Quoting Resilience - Icebreaker

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To enable participants to introduce themselves to the group.
• To find out how each participant perceives resilience and what they hope to get from the training.
• To introduce some key information about resilience.
• To get people thinking about what resilience means and where it comes from.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To enable participants to introduce themselves to the group.
• To find out how each participant perceives resilience and what they hope to get from the training.
• To introduce some key information about resilience.
• To get people thinking about what resilience means and where it comes from.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 25 participants.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
If using this exercise with large groups, split them into smaller teams.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Downloads
Available to Essential
Trainer Notes
Quotation Posters

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Reach for the Stars - Praise and Self-Esteem

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 15 minutes.

Aims:
• To highlight self-limiting behaviour and beliefs in a non-threatening way.
• To consider how we receive praise and how it affects us.
• To energise a group of participants.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 15 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To highlight self-limiting behaviour and beliefs in a non-threatening way.
• To consider how we receive praise and how it affects us.
• To energise a group of participants.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of almost any size as long as you have sufficient wall space.

You'll Need:
• 2 cardboard stars or star shaped post it notes for each participant.
• Blu-tac will also be needed if you use cardboard stars.

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The Charity Challenge - How Attitude Impacts Success

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 15 minutes.

Aims:
• To explore what it feels like when a colleague adopts a pessimistic attitude.
• To understand how pessimism can impact the likelihood of success.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 5 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 15 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To explore what it feels like when a colleague adopts a pessimistic attitude.
• To understand how pessimism can impact the likelihood of success.

Group Size:
Can be used with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Teams.

You'll Need:
• Flipchart paper and a pen.

Notes:
This icebreaker is really only suitable for use when running in-house training with an established team. To make it more credible, we suggest running this activity immediately after a break (and make sure you’re absent from the learners for part of that break). It works best when it is followed up with Describing Your Glass - Optimism vs Pessimism, as that module focuses on the positive steps that can be taken to develop optimism as a skill.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Downloads
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Too Close? - Benefits of a Wider Perspective

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To illustrate, in a fun way, the problem with being too close to a situation or problem.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 5 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 10 minutes to complete this module.

Aims:
• To illustrate, in a fun way, the problem with being too close to a situation or problem.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
• A small prize for the winner would be a nice addition to this exercise.

Notes:
The PowerPoint will automatically move to the next slide after a minute.

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Where is This Team? (Icebreaker)

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 30 minutes.

Aims:
• To encourage the team to think about the team's strengths and weaknesses.
• To identify behaviour that the team needs to change.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To encourage the team to think about the team's strengths and weaknesses.
• To identify behaviour that the team needs to change.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 20 participants.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
This exercise is designed for teams that normally work together.

Downloads
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Trainer Notes

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